Broken Laws | |
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Directed by | Roy William Neill |
Written by | Marion Jackson Bradley King |
Based on | "Broken Laws" by Adela Rogers St. Johns |
Produced by | Dorothy Davenport Thomas H. Ince |
Cinematography | James Diamond |
Production company | Thomas Ince Corporation |
Distributed by | Film Booking Office of America |
Release date |
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Running time | 70 minutres |
Country | United States |
Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
Broken Laws is a 1924 American silent drama film directed by Roy William Neill, remarkable for the appearance of Dorothy Davenport, who is billed as "Mrs. Wallace Reid". [1]
Broken Laws, with its plot of parental overindulgence, is the second of Davenport's "social conscience" releases, to be followed by The Red Kimono (1925), based on a true-life story of white slavery. [2]
As described in a review in a film magazine, [3] Christmas Eve finds Ralph Allen (Wallace) breaking the speed laws and eluding the police. In his car are his son Bobby (Moore) and Patsy Heath (Walsh), the daughter of a neighbor. The Allens go to a jazz party at the Heaths. Bobby has declared that there is no Santa Clause and has ruined the Christmas tree, climbs out of the house and goes to the Allens to watch the party. He and Patsy are trying to imitate the adults when they are discovered. Bobby is taken back home, and exposes himself to the rain for spite and becomes ill. When he recovers, his mother spoils him and he gets into trouble at school. When eighteen, his mother buys Bobby (Rankin) a car and he begins to lead a wild life, exerting a bad influence on Patsy (Corbin). Finally, his mother and Patsy's father (Marmont) go to rescue them from a questionable roadhouse. Speeding home, Bobby speeds and runs into a wagon, killing an old woman. He is tried and convicted of manslaughter. His mother realizes that she is also guilty as she indulged him and never taught him to respect the law or authority. Suddenly, she awakes and finds that the killing was just a dream. Calling Bobby to her room, she gives him a sound spanking and sends him back to school to apologize.
Davenport's husband was the star Wallace Reid, who died of morphine addiction in January 1923. By June 1923, Davenport had co-produced, starred in and toured the country with Human Wreckage , a moralistic warning about the terrors of drug addiction. The film's sensational tone, and the roadshow engagement with her personal appearances, were a direct precursor to the later 1930s exploitation films of Kroger Babb and others.
According to the Silent Era website, a print exists in the Cinematheque Royale de Belgique. [1]
William Wallace Halleck Reid was an American actor in silent film, referred to as "the screen's most perfect lover". He also had a brief career as a racing driver.
Fannie Dorothy Davenport was an American actress, screenwriter, film director, and producer.
Human Wreckage is a 1923 American independent silent drama propaganda film that starred Dorothy Davenport and featured James Kirkwood, Sr., Bessie Love, and Lucille Ricksen. The film was co-produced by Davenport and Thomas H. Ince and distributed by Film Booking Offices of America, with a premiere on June 17, 1923. No print of this film is known to exist today, and it is considered a lost film.
Virginia Lee Corbin was an American silent film actress.
Harold George Bryant Davenport was an American film and stage actor who worked in show business from the age of six until his death. After a long and prolific Broadway career, he came to Hollywood in the 1930s, where he often played grandfathers, judges, doctors, and ministers. His roles include Dr. Meade in Gone with the Wind (1939) and Grandpa in Meet Me in St. Louis (1944). Bette Davis once called Davenport "without a doubt [. . .] the greatest character actor of all time."
Lucille Ricksen was an American motion picture actress during the silent film era. She died of tuberculosis on March 13, 1925 at the age of 14.
The Road to Ruin is a 1934 pre-Code exploitation film directed by Dorothy Davenport, under the name "Mrs. Wallace Reid", and Melville Shyer, and written by Davenport with the uncredited contribution of the film's producer, Willis Kent. The film, now in the public domain, portrays a young woman whose life is ruined by sex and drugs.
Among Those Present is a 1921 American "three-reeler" silent comedy film directed by Fred C. Newmeyer and starring Harold Lloyd and Mildred Davis and Mary Pickford.
The Red Kimono is a 1925 American silent drama film about prostitution produced by Dorothy Davenport and starring Priscilla Bonner. This is the debut film of Director Walter Lang.
The Satin Woman is a 1927 American silent drama film directed by Walter Lang and starring Dorothy Davenport, also known as Mrs. Wallace Reid. The film is preserved in the Library of Congress collection.
Linda is a 1929 American silent drama film directed by Dorothy Davenport.
Hellship Bronson is a lost 1928 silent film adventure directed by Joseph Henabery and starring Noah Beery and Dorothy Davenport. It was produced by Gotham Pictures and distributed by Lumas Film Corporation.
A Yoke of Gold is a 1916 American silent black and white melodrama directed by Lloyd B. Carleton and starring Dorothy Davenport and Emory Johnson. Based on an original story by Rob Wagner, it is a period piece set in the early days of the California missions.
Doctor Neighbor is a 1916 American silent feature film black and white melodrama. The film was directed by Lloyd B. Carleton. It stars Hobart Bosworth and pairs Dorothy Davenport and Emory Johnson in leading roles.
Every Woman's Problem, also known as Mothers of Men, is a 1917 silent film promoting woman's suffrage. It was re-released in 1921.
The Legend of Hollywood is a 1924 American silent romantic drama film directed by Renaud Hoffman and starring Percy Marmont, Zasu Pitts, and Alice Davenport.
Two Mothers is a 1916 American silent short film directed by Lloyd B. Carleton. The film is based on a story by I.A.R. Wylie. Calder Johnstone developed the adaptation for the screen. The drama's features Dorothy Davenport, Alfred Allen and Emory Johnson.
The Unattainable is a 1916 American Blank and White silent drama directed by Lloyd B. Carleton. The film is based on the story by Elwood D. Henning. The photoplay stars Dorothy Davenport and Emory Johnson.
The Human Gamble was a 1916 American silent Short film directed by Lloyd B. Carleton. The film is based on the story and screen adaptation by Calder Johnstone. The drama stars Dorothy Davenport, Emory Johnson, and a cast of Universal contract players.
No. 16 Martin Street was a 1916 American silent Short film directed by Lloyd B. Carleton. The film was based on the detective story and screen adaptation by Bess Meredyth. The drama stars Dorothy Davenport, Emory Johnson, and an all-star cast of Universal contract players.